News: Military groups, local clubs decorate Fisher House for holidays

Aloha Mom Bree Roundy and her six-year-old helper create sparkle for Fisher House I’s dining room, during a holiday decorating event at the Fisher Houses, Tripler Army Medical Center, Monday, Dec. 2. Units, spouse organizations and clubs from all over Oahu came to spread cheer to the Fisher House residents to make the Fisher House feel more like home. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Clark/Released)

HONOLULU - Since their residents couldn’t make it home for the holiday season, local military units, spouse groups and other organizations decorated the Fisher Houses at Tripler Army Medical Center, Monday, Dec. 2.

Units from all over Oahu came to spread cheer to the Fisher House residents including the 1-27th Infantry Regiment, 1-21st Infantry Battalion Gimlets and Hui ‘O Na Wahine, an all-ranks spouse group, both from Schofield Barracks. Marine Aircraft Group-24 Spouses from Marine Corps Air Station in Kaneohe as well as the Aloha Moms Facebook group, also came together to make the Fisher House feel more like home.

“We do an annual decoration,” said Anita Clingerman, Fisher House assistant manager. “People can adopt any community area, living room, kitchen - and then once they adopt it, they can purchase their decorations and decorate their room how ever they want.”

The Fisher House’s mission is to give those undergoing medical treatment away from home a sense of home and family in a foreign environment. Events like this help residents during the holidays.

“This is my second Christmas here, it’s very heartwarming,” said Roque Cruz, an Army veteran who is staying at the house with his daughter while she undergoes medical treatment. “I like to go out there and try and do what I can to help out too.”

“I love it, because right after they’re done decorating, it’s like a winter wonderland,” said Clingerman. She says she also enjoys it, as it gives the volunteers and the residents a chance to get to know each other, so the volunteers know where their hard work is going and the residents get an idea of who comes in to make their holidays brighter.

“This gives me a chance to give people a home for the holidays and help decorate – so they can feel more at home,” said U.S. Army Pfc. Robert Hole, 1-21 Infantry Battalion Gimlets. “It’s a great honor to help others, instead of doing something for myself.”